Vryheid’s DA councillors denied entry to court during ANC corruption case

The three ANC officials who were charged with corruption made a brief appearance at the Vryheid Magistrate’s Court on January 16.

The case was postponed to March 25 to allow for further investigation and the finalisation of outstanding forensic evidence.

In the meantime, the DA is set to lay a formal complaint with the relevant authorities including the Justice Portfolio Committee through their Shadow Minister of Justice, Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach, after the party’s councillors and activists were barred from attending the court proceedings.

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“This is in blatant contravention with Section 4 of the Public Gathering Act. The DA is aware that other political parties were granted access to the court,” read a media release sent out by the party’s Zululand West Constituency Head, Thomas Hadebe.

Hadebe said that he and the party’s MPL, Dr Imran Keeka, met with Mr Langa who is in charge of court security as well as Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane of SAPS, who is in charge of protecting the court premises and public order policing.

“It was alleged that the person who gave a direct and possibly illegal instruction to the security guard not to allow the DA to enter the court was the Prosecutor. This irresponsible behaviour cannot be accepted by a state official,” claimed Mr Hadebe.

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He went on to say that the fact that the ANC and the IFP were allowed to enter and attend the court proceedings, while the DA was denied entry was reprehensible.

“The South African Justice System cannot favour one party over another. Our Constitution simply does not allow for this. Legally we are all equal in front of the law, irrespective of political affiliation. The DA will continue to pursue justice for all,” said Mr Hadebe in conclusion.